Dollface

Chapter 14 - Tamsin

A few days after I hung out with Kai and his friends, I met Dean outside the school side doors. He was leaning against the school building with his arms crossed. When he saw me come out, he pushed away from the building and walked towards me.

"Hey, Tamsin," he greeted.

I looked up from the book I was reading. He smiled and waved his hands. One of his backpack straps slung over his broad shoulders. The plain white t-shirt he had on was stretched tight on his upper body. His ripped light blue jeans hung low on his waist exposing a hint of well-defined abs. His light colored hair was soft and carried in the light breeze this afternoon.

I haven't seen him in a while. He looked good today.

On the other hand, I had my hair up in a ponytail and had no makeup on. I chose an old white t-shirt that I wore so many times that it was no longer the color white but a shabby white color. I had on black leggings and wore white casual shoes.

"Hey, Dean. What are you doing out here?"

"I was waiting on you." He looked shy when he scratched the back of his neck and shoved one hand into his jean pocket.

"How did you know I'll come out at this entrance?"

Dean chuckled nervously. "Would it sound creepy if I told you I've noticed it?"

Dean? Noticing me? It feels like I got pulled out of reality and put into a dream of mine. I never thought he would notice me in this lifetime. In this reality, Dean and I were different people in different worlds. He was the perfect kind of student. Every girl wanted to be his girlfriend—for him to notice them.

What was so different about me that caught Dean's attention?

I didn't want to get ahead of myself. I figured it might be due to the fact that we talked to each other several times before. It would make us acquaintances. Now that he waited for me outside, could we be considered as friends?

"No, not at all," I responded.

Dean took another step forward, "In that case, do you have time right now? I want to take you out to an awesome ice cream shop nearby. It is just a short walk."

I didn't have any plans this afternoon. I was just going to head home, finish my homework, eat, and then go to bed. Besides, to be asked by Dean was a rare occasion.

"Sure."

"Great!" Dean reached out and slipped his hand into mine. I looked down at where our hands were connected. He pulled out ahead and I followed him.

As we started walking away from the school, Dean turned his head to glance behind me. His hair shimmered beneath the sun.

"I want to apologize for the other night. I didn't think Ava would do that. There is nothing between Ava and I now. She broke up with me a few months ago. What we had is long gone."

"A few months ago? By the way she acts, it feels like she still has a lot of feelings towards you."

Dean sighed and shoved fingers through his hair to push the hair falling over his forehead back. Staring into the distance ahead, he remained silent for a moment. At that moment, I saw something else. He looked exhausted like the weight of being perfect on his shoulders was too much.

"How did you two..." I stopped myself. It wasn't my business. I shouldn't have asked. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

He glanced my way.

"No, it's ok. It's good to talk about these things. Besides, I have no one to talk to." We stopped at the corner. He glanced both ways before leading me across the street. There were a few cars running about. A jogger running on the opposite end of the street.